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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 1993historicpreservation commissi p on leof south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219) 284-9798 M E M O R A N D U M TO: HPC FROM: F. Holycross DATE: 3-10-93 RE: March HPC Meeting March's regular HPC meeting is scheduled for March 15, 1993 at 7:00 pm at the usual place. Since the HPC did not have a quorum in February, both January and February 1993 Treasurer Reports and Minutes need to be approved. I have included these in your packets. There are also three COAs that have been tabled for various reasons that need to be addressed this month: 1. 415 Parry: gutters removed and replaced on this Local. Historic Landmark without a COA. In February the owner requested that the matter be tabled until March. I have included last month's staff report along with a letter from the owner that was read to the HPC last month concerning this case. 2. 557 River: disapproved by committee in February; owner was asked to bring additional information to HPC for consideration; as of this writing, staff has not been contacted by owner. This project was also completed (except for siding) without a COA. 3. 1081 Riverside Drive: tabled at the request of the owner in December, 1992; tabled in January and February, 1993 by the HPC because owner was not present. As of this writing, staff has not been contacted by owner. This staff report is in your December, 1992 packet. • historicpreservation commission on of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219) 284-9798 AGENDA OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Monthly Meeting County Commissioners' 7:30 p.m. Conference Room 7th Floor, County/City Building March 15, 1993 I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Public Hearing A. Certificates of Appropriateness 1. 415 Parry Street -- Local Landmark 2. 557 River -- Edgewater Place LHD 3. 1081 Riverside -- Riverside Drive LHD B. Local Historic Landmarks 1. 710 N. Cushing -- Second Reading 2. 51387 Portage -- Second Reading IV. Regular Business A. Approval of Minutes -- January 1993; February 1993 B. Treasurer's Report -- January 1993; February 1993 C. Correspondence D. Committee Reports 1. C of A (Staff Approvals) 2. Budget and Finance 3. Legal 4. Historic Districts 5. Historic Landmarks A. Eutzler—Hollingshead Cemetery -- (Penn Township) B. Pleasant Valley Cemetery -- (Penn Township) C. Byrkit Cemetery -- (Penn Township) 6. Standards and Maintenance 7. Personnel First Reading First Reading First Reading A. Administrative Assistant Resignation 8. Staff Reports V. Old Business VI. New Business VII. Hearing of Visitors VIII. Announcements & Miscellaneous Matters IX. Adjournment U • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Monthly Meeting 7:30 p.m. March 15, 1993 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. 7th Floor, County Commissioner's Conference Room, County -City Building II. Roll Call Members Present: Ms. Cynthia Brubaker, Mrs. Martha Choitz, Mr. Jed Eide, Mrs. Jean Dennen, Mr. John Oxian, Ms. Jewel Van Dalsen, Mrs. Janeanne Petrass, Mrs. Joann Sporleder. Members Absent: Mr. William Welsheimer, Sr. Staff Present: Fred Holycross--Director Also Present: Aladean DeRose--Deputy City Attorney, Marsha Stevenson --Riverside Drive Liaison, Kevin Boughal--South Bend Tribune, Rebecca Shriner (owner, 415 Parry), Ed Talley --Riverside Drive Liaison, Ann Price. III. Public Hearing A. Certificates of Appropriateness. 1. 415 Parry Street -- Local Landmark Mr. Holycross read the staff report describing the proposed project: the replacement of metal, half -round gutters with rectangular, plastic extruded gutters. Mr. Holycross stated that the staff recommended against approval of the proposal because historic half -round gutters had been removed from the structure and replaced with inappropriate plastic gutters. The staff was not given the opportunity to consult with the owner, as the project was completed without a certificate of appropriateness. Mr. Holycross also stated that the HPC had a letter in their monthly packet from the property's owner, Ms. Rebecca Shriner, and that the letter had been read into the minutes at the February meeting. Ms. Rebecca Shriner then spoke. She stated that she wished to reiterate the letter of last month: 'I live five hours from here, because of employment I moved two years ago. I have renters in that property that intended to buy the property because they were already living in the neighborhood and liked the neighborhood ... since then the entire neighborhood has changed drastically. I was a resident there for over twelve years and in the last two years ... two houses have been torn down ... since then the entire neighborhood has turned into mounds of dirt and the construction company that tore down these houses has taken over the whole area. I now have renters that ... do not want the property ... I needed to have the flat roof sealed and the guttering was... beyond repair ... Being so far away ... I told the gentleman to ... go ahead ... I figured he had to, of course, go get a permit to do this and it would show up. He did replace the guttering but at the time I thought the job was completed I came in to Mr. Holycross to try to talk about my situation... The house is now unsellable... unsafe ... noisy ... ' Ms. Shriner then described her visit to the HPC office and stated that economics determined the need for the project --to protect it. She said that she could not sell it. She also stated that she • understood that the entire neighborhood was being considered as a historic district. She then asked to be allowed to keep the gutters because of the financial burden involved in their replacement, allowing her time to decide what to do with the house. Discussion ensued as to the state of the neighborhood and to the construction company next door described as 'leaving piles of dirt everywhere.' Ms. Shriner stated that trucks 'used the street all day long.' She also said that the house could not be sold as commercial property because of the noise. Ms. Brubaker asked if the owner was aware of certificate of appropriateness procedures and the need to come before the HPC for a COA and if she had considered alternatives and priced other types of gutters. Ms. Shriner stated that she did not know that she needed a COA; she thought that only 'changing windows, doors or an addition' required the permit. She had them changed because of concern for the house and out of 'ignorance and panic.' She then stated that she did not know what to do and was considering having the property 'undesignated.' Mr. Holycross distributed a map to the HPC showing the house location and the zoning areas of the neighborhood. Discussion ensued concerning the neighborhood, zoning and the industrial nature of the area. Mrs. Choitz moved that the ro osal be approved as submitted with the provision that the, HPC be allowed to participate in the process of saving the house. Mrs. Choitz then stated that the house was a fine example of what the HPC was trying to save. The house might possibly have to be moved; if so, the HPC would then look at the house and reconsider what nedds to be done to save it. Mrs. Sporleder seconded the motion. Mrs. Choitz stated that she felt it was the HPC's responsibility to contact owners on a periodic basis and to inform them of their obligations to apply for COAs. If the owner truly felt that her situation was hopeless, the HPC would like to play a part in saving the structure. It would be a mistake to remove the landmark status. Mrs. Sporleder then stated that the HPC should do something to ameliorate the situation. Heavy trucks and piles of dirt were not allowed in the area according to zoning. It was unreasonable to expect an owner to preserve a structure while 'the neighborhood deteriorated around it.' Mr. Oxian directed staff to draft and send a letter to City Engineering inquiring as to the zoning restrictions on the street. Mr. Holycross stated that he would send such a letter. Mrs. Choitz told the owner that the HPC would follow through with its responsibility to protect the property and that the owner also had the responsibility to stay in touch with the HPC in order that the property could be saved. Motion approved unanimousl 2. 551 River Ave. -- Edgewater Place LHD Mr. Holycross stated that this COA application was disapproved at the February meeting by committee; that motion was subsequently concurred with by the fifth member of the commission. He explained that the owner has not contacted the office after having been informed of that decision; 2 therefore there was not a COA application on file for this project that was begun without a COA. He then explained that the HPC had asked the owner for: 1. photographs or other evidence of the original condition of the garage; 2. contractor's specifications for all materials; 3. in -scale elevations of the intended proposal when completed. The staff had received none of those materials although the owner had contacted the staff several weeks prior to the meeting and had assured the staff that the materials would be submitted. Mr. Oxian suggested that the case be turned over to the legal department if the owner did not contact staff before the April meeting. He added that the case was not trivial; the owner had violated every rule and regulation of the district. Mrs. Sporleder asked for clarification of the case. Mr. Oxian responded that the owner had never applied for a COA or a building permit and had already completed the project. Mr. Holycross responded that the owner had applied for a COA last month with the materials included in the monthly packet. It was disapproved at that time. He then described the proposed project: stabilize the garage structurally; replace existing wood clapboards on walls of garage with matching wood clapboard, salvaging all original materials as possible; infill the rear window (remove and cover with clapboard); replace two double -hung windows on east side of garage with metal double-hungs; replace all eaves, fascia and trim with white synthetic siding; replace asphalt shingles on roof in-kind. All of these proposals, except for replacing the clapboard, had been completed without a COA or a building permit. When it came to staff's attention, it was as depicted in packet photographs. Staff asked the owner for a COA application for the changes he had made in order that the HPC could make a determination on the appropriateness. The legal question was essentially the change to the structure without a COA. Ms. Brubaker stated that the only solution she could see at his point was to require that wood siding be replaced on the walls of the structure. The original material is gone and cannot be "brought back," Mrs. Sporleder asked if the intention of the staff and HPC was to require documentation of the condition of the original structure. Mr. Holycross replied that a project had been done in a district without a COA and the staff had no other avenue to pursue except to ask the owner to apply for a COA a to allow the commission to make a determination on the matter. Unless the commission wished to direct the staff otherwise, he did not know how else to deal with the matter. Mrs. Sporleder asked if the intention was to get a COA. Mr. Oxian responded that the intention was also to find out what the project actually entailed --documentation of all the materials that had been replaced. He added that this was not just a gutter, it was a whole garage.... it was [as if] someone had put up an addition [without a COA] ... opening the door for a total violation of standards." Ms. Brubaker stated that the commission was asking for more information in order to make a decision whether or not the project was appropriate. Discussion ensued concerning the case. Mr. Holycross stated that he had been asked last month to send a letter to the owner asking for documentation; he had done so. Ms. DeRose asked what the commission wanted the legal department to do. Mr. Oxian responded that he wanted to know "what was there, what he took down and what he is trying to accomplish." Ms. DeRose responded that she needed to review the case and determine whether there was a legal remedy. Mrs. Choitz stated that Mr. Oxian was trying to compel him to appear before the commission at a hearing; although she doubted whether that would result in bringing the matter to a conclusion 3 • because he obviously refused to cooperate. Mr. Oxian stated that, if he was not president (of the HPC], he would make a motion to "tear the building down." Mr. Holycross said that he would provide all files for counsel review. There was no further discussion of the matter. 6. 1081 Riverside Drive -- Riverside Drive LHD Mr. Holycross read the staff report concerning the proposal. The proposal included the installation of a replica streetlight (the change had already been made without a COA) with a twelve foot (12') pole and a three foot (3") luminaire in the front yard. The project included the removal of a yard light approximately five feet (5') in height from another location in the yard. The staff recommended denial of the proposal by the HPC for the following reasons: 1. The proposed streetlight would be of a different size and in a different location than the previous yard light fixture; 2. there are no other streetlights on this section of the south side of Riverside Drive, nor any evidence that there ever have been, making this streetlight historically inappropriate; 3. the introduction of such a large streetlight in a shallow front yard area is inappropriate in scale with the proportions of other structures on the property as well as the character of the area as a whole. Co-owner of the property, Mr. Ed Talley, then spoke. He stated that they [he and co-owner James fesuk-Geisel] "removed the yard light because it was not appropriate... the erection of the is streetlight coincided [with that]... and [was intended] to be part of the ongoing since 1988 [sic], of getting the city and all of those involved to recognize the importance of the concrete hollow -spun posts and the "Octagonal Junior" fixture as well as the "Park View" cast-iron posts..." Mr. Talley then discussed the testing of various other streetlights in past years. He continued: "this has all been part of a chess game to get the players on the battlefield a few steps closer to the final objective accomplished—to get the East Wayne Historic District, the Riverside Drive Historic District to have the hollow -spun streetlight post and the Octagonal Junior luminaries placed back in the districts, based on the fact that we understand that project is almost ready to begin where the city is stockpiling hollow -spun posts and ... fixtures will be put back into both districts and to get rid of the toothpicks... one way to let people know you have a storm is to create a wave. Based upon the progress of the entire situation ... I am asking that you grant temporary approval on the COA because we have requested from the city engineering department as well as [I&M that] hollow -spun posts...be put underneath our luminaries... in the past ... [it was suggested that] streetlights ... be placed in a staggered pattern along [the street]..." Mr. Talley then stated that he had "investigated why we should save the darn things" and presented written material that he had gathered concerning the history of South Bend streetlights. He stated that he had "proven" that his choice of streetlight was historically appropriate. He also stated that "the objective of all this was simply to save the streetlights (that were] as historically important as buildings." Mr. Eide inquired whether the post installed was intended as a temporary test. Mr. Talley responded that it was and that they did not like the yard light. He then discussed the type of light generated by different types of fixtures and discussed safety issues in the neighborhood. "It was and it was not (a test]," he said. • Mr. Eide then asked whether it then occurred to him that he should get a COA. Mr. Talley responded that "the thought crossed my mind, the decision to not apply was based on the following: when I went down and asked whether I need a COA to put up a test light at Golden, I was told no, and figured it would not be necessary to do it for this..." Mr. Oxian explained that Mr. Talley did not need a COA at that time because it was intended as a temporary test -case for the neighborhood to decide what they wanted. That light was then adopted by the Mayor's Committee as the type to be used in all historic districts in the future. Mr. Eide then asked Mr. Talley about the plan to stagger streetlights and if they were like that originally. Mr. Talley answered that 'they were not...' He then talked at length about the park system and its original lay -out. He explained that originally more lights were not needed. Mr. Talley then stated that 'a majority...in the neighborhood (wanted) the... octagonal posts and almost a majority are willing to go into their pockets ... (to pay for the lights]...' Mr. Eide asked whether he had a concern about the scale of the streetlights vis a vis the houses. Mr. Talley responded that they were the same size as in East Wayne Street. Mr. Oxian stated that if the city were to put in new streetlights they would be new fibre -glass poles as approved by the Mayor's Committee. Mr. Talley responded that the neighborhood did not want those. Discussion ensued as to the height of the intended posts. Mrs. Dennan asked whether the intention was to replace the fiberglass pole with a concrete pole. Mr. Talley responded that it was. 'The city has eighty of these posts ... (the city] has gone to I&M to see if they would put [those posts into historic districts] ...' • Discussion ensued concerning the history of streetlights throughout the city. Mrs. Dennan inquired whether or not there were enough poles to accomplish the task of replacing all streetlights in the districts. Mr. Talley responded that 'there always were enough...' He then explained that he had been meeting with various city officials to have all streetlights in the district replaced with the hollow-spuns. Discussion continued concerning streetlights and maintenance and repair of them throughout the years. Mr. Oxian stated that all historic lights taken down in the were to be stored by the city at Olive Street pumping station to be used in historic districts; I&M violated this agreement; poles had disappeared since then, including two cast-iron poles. Mr. Oxian then asked the commission to make a decision on the COA in question. Mrs. Sporleder asked what was intended to happen next with the 'temporary pole.' Mr. Talley responded that 'as soon as we [get] a hollow -spun pole we will stick it under the light ... others will also have such lights put up.' Mrs. Dennan stated that the HPC was essentially being asked to decide two things: 1. to grant a temporary COA for the pole at 1081 Riverside Drive; and 2. whether to allow lights on both sides of the street. Mr. Holycross responded that the HPC had not received an application for lights other than the light in question at 1081 Riverside Drive. Discussion ensued as to the location of the light in regards to the street; there is no tree lawn on this section of Riverside Drive. Mr. Oxian stated that the commission was being asked to approve something that should be tabled to find out if the plan described was to be done by the city and then to act accordingly. He explained 5 find out if the plan described was to be done by the city and then to act accordingly. He explained that a Mayor's Committee had dealt with the issue for all historic districts, He also stated that he had told Councilman Luecke that the city should apply for a COA if they intended to change lights in the district. • Mr. Holycross stated that the city intended to apply for a COA in April to replace five fiberglass lights on the north side of Riverside Drive with concrete poles. Mrs, Sporleder asked for clarification of the location of current and proposed streetlights and for specifics of the intended change. Mr, Talley answered that there were several proposals being considered. He described them. He stated that the residents had twice voted for what they wanted; the mayor had made his decision; the neighborhood still wants the original lights "alternating up and down the street." Mrs, Dennan asked whether he would be happy if the city came in and replaced all the poles on the north side of the street with concrete poles. Mr. Talley then explained the difference in light patterns and how the city's plan would result in dark areas. Mr. Talley then talked about the park department and trees. Mr. Oxian asked for a vote on the issue at hand. Mr. Talley again asked for a temporary COA valid until the commission either: A. approved poles on both sides of the street or B. "we would have a problem.. because our well-being and security is not being addressed because there is not enough light." Ms. Brubaker then asked whether he realized that "under scenario A [he] might be required to bring [the] light down completely." Mr. Oxian stated that the commission would make the final decision as to the appropriateness of • either scenario. Mrs, Choitz explained that many people had worked on this issue over the years, in addition to Mr. Talley, long before Riverside Drive came into being. There is no reassurance in my view that any of this will take place... if the city and IoM don't agree to go along with the plan." She stated that her intention was to resolve "this one issue in one yard" before making any other decisions. "These are two separate [issues]." If a temporary COA is issued it must have explicit time limits. Lighting has been a sore spot for many years "to the point of idiocy... lighting is a safety problem, it is not a decorative problem... it has long since been beyond [the HPC's] control... its a bigger issue than just decoration." Ms. DeRose offered a recommendation: since it was the staff's recommendation that the proposal was inappropriate, the HPC could deny the COA but give the owner a period of time to find a solution with the understanding that the fixture would be removed if it was ultimately determined that it was inappropriate and no appropriate alternative was offered. In her view, a temporary COA could be construed as determining the proposal as being appropriate. Mrs Choitz moved to deny the certificate of appropriateness and to allow time in which to come up with an acceptable alternative plan. Mr. Talley stated that such streetlights were located on the south side of Riverside to the east. Mrs, Sporleder asked how soon he could acquire a post. Mr. Talley answered "as soon as Carl Littrell... would allow I&M to deliver one." 9 6 Ms. Brubaker stated that the post was something that had never been there historically; allowing it there it would give the impression that it was historical. Mrs. Choitz stated that safety was a legitimate concern but approving such a proposal "without any • historical reference does not make sense and never will." Mrs Choitz again moved to deny the certificate of appropriateness and to allow the pole to remain for up to six (6) months in order that the owners could come up with an acceptable alternative plan. Ms. Brubaker seconded the motion. No further discussion. Mr. Talley asked that a copy of the decision be sent to the city engineering department. Motion passed unanimously. B. Local Historic Landmarks 1. 710 N. Cushing -- Second Reading Mr. Holycross read excerpts from the staff report concerning this proposed local landmark designation. The property was nominated by HPC President John Oxian and was rated as S/11 (Significant) on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The structure was originally constructed in 1896 and was reconstructed to its present form in 1924; that design was conceived and executed by Walter W. Schneider, a significant local architect. Staff recommned that the NPC send a favorable recommendation for designation by ordinance of this property to the South Bend Common Council; the structure was judged as meeting all requirements of HPC criteria for such designation. Mr. Oxian stated that the house was unaltered both inside and out. • Mrs. Choitz moved to send a favorable recommendation to the South Bend Common Council for designation of 710 N. Cushing as a Local Historic Landmark. Mrs. Petrass seconded the motion. Mrs. Sporleder inquired as to the zoning of the neighborhood. Mr. Holycross answered that it was "A Residential." The motion passed unanimously. 2. 511387 Portage -- Second Reading Mr. Holycross read excerpts from the staff report concerning this proposed local landmark designation. The property was nominated by its owner, Ms. Elizabeth Lauber, and was rated as 0/13 (Outstanding) on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The house and barn on this property were constructed in 1872. Staff recommended that the HPC send a favorable recommendation for designation by ordinance of this property to the St. Joseph County Council; the structure was judged as meeting all requirements of HPC criteria for such designation. Mrs. Choitz stated that the property was owned by the Bestley family into the 1950s. Staff assured her that all new information would be incorporated into the property's history. • Mrs. Sporleder asked about the size of the property as reported in the staff report --.47 acres (less than half an acre). Mr. Holycross answered that was the reported size according to the Assessor's office and according to the legal description. Discussion ensued as to the size of the property and its ownership. Mr. Oxian directed staff to investigate the ownership and size of the property. It was agreed that the matter would be tabled until April. IV. Regular Business Ms. De Rose requested that Legal Business be moved forward on the agenda. Mr. Oxian granted her request. D.3. Legal Ms. DeRose reported that a settlement had been reached in the legal matter concerning 1071 Riverside Drive. She distributed a copy of the settlement to the commissioners. No Discussion. A. Approval of Minutes -- January & February, 1993. Mr. Holycross asked that the January and February minutes be approved as submitted. Mrs. Choitz moved to approve the January 1993 minutes as submitted. Ms. Van Dalsen seconded the motion. • No discussion. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Oxian asked for several changes of the February minutes. Staff agreed to make the changes. Ms. Van Dalsen moved that the February minutes be approved as corrected. Ms. Van Dalsen seconded the motion. No discussion. Motion passed unanimously. B. Treasurer's Report Mr. Holycross asked that the January and February Treasurer's Report be approved as submitted. Mrs. Sporleder moved that the January and February Treasurer's Report be approved as submitted. Mrs. Dennan seconded the motion. No discussion. Motion passed unanimously. C. Correspondence No discussion. D. Committee Reports 1. C of A (Staff Approvals) a. 909 Riverside Drive 8 No discussion, 2. Budget and Finance No Report. • 3. Legal Mr. Oxian announced that he was withdrawing the matter of the revision of Riverside Drive standards submitted by the previous Liaison Committee at the request of the new committee and others property owners in the neighborhood. 4, Historic Districts No Report. 5, Historic Landmarks Mr. Holycross announced that the DNR/DHPA had sent the HPC notice of the nomination of the Dille -Probst house, 540 East Colfax, to be listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures. Copies of the notice were provided to each commissioner. A. Eutzler-Hollingshead Cemetery -- First Reading (Penn Township) B. Pleasant Valley Cemetery -- First Reading (Penn Township) C. Byrkit Cemetery -- First Reading (Penn Township) Mr. Oxian announced that these three cemeteries were being considered for local landmark recommendation and that the Township Trustee Joseph Ganser was anxious to have them protected by designation. Mr. Holycross requested that the Second Reading for these sites be postponed for at least two months because of the lack of staff to do the necessary research. There were no objections. 6. Standards and Maintenance Mrs. Sporieder announced that she would like the HPC to review all of its historic districts and landmark standards because of ongoing difficulties with such matters as windows. She would like the HPC to reconsider some of its policies regarding the replacement of windows, for instance, allowing for the fact that there were new products on the market that would suit energy needs while resembling historic materials. Mr. Oxian asked for written suggestions from Mrs. Sporleder or other commissioners in this regard and added that such changes would require that the HPC Historic District and Standards Committees consider specific changes in committee --without written suggestions there was no place to begin such negotiations. Discussion ensued concerning the cost of replacing historic windows, Ms. Brubaker stated that windows were an important architectural element and she would be inclined to encourage maintenance and repair rather than replacement, Mr. Oxian announced that he was directing staff to begin drafting COA Staff Approval policy: such a policy would allow for more efficient processing of COAs. Mr. Holycross answered that he would begin drafting such suggestions as soon as possible. 7. Personnel A. Administrative Assistant Resignation Mr. Holycross announced that Amy Kotzbauer had submitted her resignation as of March 31, 1993. He stated that she had done fine work in her short time with the staff, especially in coordinating survey data for publication. • Mrs. Dennan moved to commend Ms. Kotzbauer for the fine work she had done as Administrative Assistant. Ms. Van Dalsen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Staff Reports No Report, V. Old Business A. Election of Officers Mrs. Choitz moved for approval of the following candidates for HPC office in 1993: president --John Oxian; vice -president --Jed Eide; Secretary --Jewel Van Dalsen; Treasurer --William Welsheimer. Mrs. Dennan seconded the motion. No further discussion. Motion Dassed unanimous] Ms. Brubaker offered to draft a letter to be sent to all property owners in property historic districts and landmarks to remind them of their COA responsibilities. Mr. Holycross, responding to inquiries as to the number of such owners, stated that there were approximately five hundred (500) owners. Ms. Brubaker offered to help with the project; Mrs. Choitz offered to pay for postage. Mr. Holycross agreed to begin the project immediately. Mr. Oxian suggested that the new landscape standards be included. Mr. Oxian asked the commissioners to submit lists of suggestions for HPC projects, etc. UI. New Business Mrs. Sporleder read a synopsis of legislation pending before the state legislature. Ms. Brubaker asked for the bill number. VII. Hearing of Visitors Mr. Talley offered to let people know that "volunteers were needed by the HPC." He also announced that he was negotiating various matters in Shetterly Park with the city park department. VIII. Announcements/Miscellaneous Matters Ms. Brubaker announced an Indiana Alliance of Historic District Commission annual meeting in conjunction with the HLFI Annual Meeting; subject: "Economic Hardship." Mr. Talley asked that maintenance of streetlights be addressed by "somebody" or he would "continue his request to the Common Council for designation of streetlights as historic landmarks." Mr. Oxian asked him to prepare maintenance suggestions for streetlights to be submitted to the HPC. IX. Adjournment Mr. Oxian called for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:51 p.m. 0 10 0 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 415 Parry South Bend, IN 46617 OWNERS -- Rebecca Shriner DESIGNATION -- Local Landmark STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The house at 415 Parry was built circa 1880. It is the most outstanding, as well as the most intact, example of an Upright -and -Wing vernacular house form found in South Bend. This house is currently rated as an S/12 on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, The first known owner of this home was John G. Sommerer, a local grocer. The current owner is Ms. Rebecca Shriner. PROPOSED CHANGE The replacement of metal half -round gutters with rectangular, plastic extruded gutters. STANDARDS Landmark standard (Group B, A) reads " The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and upkeep of the Landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structures or sites." RECOMMENDATIONS The staff recommends that approval for this proposal be denied by the HPC. Historic half -rounds were taken off the house and replaced with what the staff feels are inappropriate plastic gutters. However, staff was never given the opportunity to consult with the owner, and the project was completed without a Certificate of Appropriateness. A. Kotzbauer 2-8-93 415 Parry COAI!4 0203-1993 • view of front from street • and side facades closer view of front facade • CERTIFICA_TE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT_ (Follow-up Report) PROPERTY -- 415 Parry Street OWNER(S) -- Ms. Rebecca Shriner DESIGNATION -- Local Historic Landmark Please refer to attached February Staff Report for details of case. The owner of this property asked her tenant to publicly read a letter to the HPC last month, please see attached. I would like to respond to several points made by the owner in that letter. The owner was sent an agenda and staff report on the Wednesday before the February meeting, as is the practice for all COAs. Staff is unable to have this material ready before that time. It is a problem when an owner lives out of town. The HPC committee therefore tabled the matter. The owner was notified on February 16 that tonight's hearing (March 15) would take place (and sent an agenda). .The owner came to our office on December 9, 1992 and inquired as to the procedures for having her Local Historic Landmark property "dedesignated." I told her that there were no such procedures that I was aware of and that, in my opinion, I doubted whether the HPC would look favorably on the proposal. During that conversation Ms. Shriner indicated that she could not afford the expense of the property and wanted to sell. She also stated that she had spoken to the construction company next door to the property and that they had expressed interest in purchasing the property if they could have the house demolished, otherwise they would not buy it. In the course of the conversation Ms. Shriner indicated that the roof had been replaced. When informed that she needed a COA to do such a project, she expressed surprise. When asked when the project had taken place, she indicated that it had been some time in the last year. I did not accept a COA application at that time because I understood the project to have taken place quite some time in the past; it seemed a waste of time to pursue a project that had not occurred recently. At no time did she indicate that gutters had been replaced or that either pro.iect was underway at the time. I assured Ms. Shriner that we were interested in helping her with the property in any way that we could and that we would inspect the property because we were not familiar with it (Ms. Shriner asks in her letter why we did not immediately know this property among the 115 Local Landmarks throughout the county when she appeared unannounced in the office). Staff went to the site that afternoon and saw the half -round gutters torn 40 apart and laying on the ground; the contractors were putting up the plastic gutters. I did not think it appropriate, due to the project being essentially finished, to try to intervene. I sent her a letter that day (12-9-92) asking for a COA application and documentation of the project and sent copies of all rules and regulations. The completed application was not received in this office until February 3, 1993; she was then put on the agprida and sent notice in the usual manner. •;t was not:, in fact:, until this t. .i III, that staff: +,;as aware rhat the roof had been part of the gutter project; we became aware of that when we saw the contractor spec s ;ALtache.(I to the applicaLlon (sec packet . While I don't ,think that this is the most pressing case at this time for the HPC, I do think it is my legal responsibility to deal w M h each case as it comes along according to the rules and regulations of the HPC and to present the facts as I see them to the HPC so that you can make a decision. I think that staff has acted accordingly and appropriately in this case. Fred M. Holycross March 9, 1993 • 40 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 557 River Avenue South Bend, IN 46618 OWNER -- Aaron Williams DESIGNATION -- Edgewater Place LHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The house at 557 River Ave. is located in the Edgewater Place LHD and has been given the rating of C/10 on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. This Bungalow style house was built in 1922 for Charles and Edith Crum. Mr. Crum was a building contractor and in the past was credited with building the first concrete building in South Bend. He later formed a real estate and insurance company, C. W. Crum and Son. The current owner of the house is Mr. Aaron Williams. PROPOSED CHANGE The project includes stabilizing the garage structurally; replacing existing wood clapboards with matching wood clapboards and reusing what original clapboarding can be salvaged; infilling the rear window; replacing all other wood double -hung windows with metal double -hung windows; replacing all eaves, fascia, and 1. trim with white synthetic siding; and replacing asphalt shingles on roof with similar asphalt shingles. STANDARDS In regard to these types of changes to a building, district standards state the following: (2,A,1) -- "Existing exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through 'repair, cleaning, and painting. The existing or original architectural detail around windows, porches, doors, and eaves should be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair." (2,A,2) -- "Aluminum or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only feasible alternative to maintaining the original surface materials." (2,B,1) -- "The existing slope and materials of the roof shall be retained". (2,B,2) -- "Roof covering which is deteriorated beyond repair should be replaced with new materials that match as closely as possible the original in composition, size, shape, color, and texture." (2,B,1) -- "If aluminum or vinyl siding is added to a building overhanging eaves and gables should not be covered or enclosed." • (2,C,1) -- "Existing or original windows and doors including sash, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods, and hardware shall be retained or when deteriorated beyond repair replaced with duplicates of the existing or original." RECOMMENDATIONS The staff recommends that this proposal be approved by the HPC. It should be noted that the staff feels that portions of this 40 proposal are inappropriate in regards to issues of design and materials, however, this project was nearly complete before it came to the attention of the staff. Therefore, staff was not given an opportunity to consult with the owner in regards to these issues, or the possibilities of alternative solutions. The staff was also unable to make a determination as to whether the garage was deteriorated beyond repair before alterations had commenced. A. Kotzbauer 2-8-93 K I CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 1081 Riverside Drive South Bend, IN 46616 0 OWNERS -- James Fesuk-Geisel and J. Edward Talley DESIGNATION -- Riverside Drive LHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT 1081 Riverside Drive is in the Riverside Drive Local Historic District. This American Foursquare was rated C/9 in a 1987 Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. Built in 1920. the first resident of 1081 Riverside Drive was Ellar R. Newland, a manager of the Builders Supply & Specialty Co. The current owner of record is Mr. James Fesuk-Geisel. PROPOSED CHANGE The 1nstalIat.iori of a rep.l:t.ca streetlight fixture with a 12' pole and a lumi.ra.iir, (overall height of 15') in the front yard of the property at 1081 Riverside Drive. As part of the project an existing yard light of approximately 5'in height will be removed from another location in the property's front yard. STANDARDS District standards (1,A,1) state that the introduction of "...new plant materials, fencing, walkways, streetlights, signs, and benches shall be compatible in size, scale, materials, and color. Street lighting illumination should be maintained at levels recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society. Light fixtures must have spectral distribution in all color. ranges. Sources and lamp posts should be uniform throughout the district. Lamp fixtures and supporting posts must be similar in proportion, scale, and detail to the existing historic .lamps, as depicted by models A, C, and D in Appendix A or a suitable replacement which closely duplicates the standard in size, shape, style, and appearance, i.e. Herwig Li.ght.i_ng Co. standard or. similar'. Street lights should be placed so t, hat adequate illumination is afforded all sections of public sidewalks." Furthermore, section (.1,B,1) relates that "Plants, trees, fencing, walkwa7s, private yard lights, si-ris (house numbers) and benches which refI ct. the property's history and development sha11 be ret.airre(I.' And finally, sect.ior) (I.B,?j states " New site work should be based upon actrial know l.edk e of the past. appearance of the property found `III phot og r:.aphs , d raw.i rigs , :and riewsp apers . New site work should a so be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements iia scale, tVpa' and :.appearance " a RECOMMENDATION It is the staffs recommendation that: this proposal be denied approval by the HPC for the following reasons: 1. The proposed streetlight fixture will be of a different size and in a different location than the existing _yard light fixture. 2. There are no other streetlights on the south side of Riverside Drive, nor is there any evidence that there ever has been, making the introduction of a streetlight on this side of Ole street. inappropriate. 3. The introduction of: such a large streetlight in a shallow front yard area is inappropriate in scale with the proportions of the other structures on the property as we:Ll as the character of the area as a whole. A. Kot.zbauer 12-14-92 • • r L 1081 Riverside Drive COA# 1992-1125 SIVE P� J .�. F11��sfoL t G �r�EETu(�LIT Nor • 0 v � , �re�r CA inG.�-bley� t no✓� �� ovr v5ed cvt �vl`oN�, 0 wo i }-- 5 phe-i i of1fful ' 0 �'1 PC,-,f- • ,private m e,ravr mew oi pot' �t v"*ff*\7 V�� A e .I� 14 ,*4 lyl Gm rj h lot�l< tiUvf�'l1 ltiaool pa i hl�cct� r,7v ►�Gi post Pry s AVW .......... A Jll'!U.�.171'�L LIP Ail APPLICATION CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS EXTERIOR LIGHT FIXTURE AND POLE James Fesuk-Geisel J. Edward Talley 1081 Riverside Drive South Bend, IN 46616 288-6314 • In the late 1950s, the owners of the home at 1081 Riverside Drive, as part of a remolding project, installed a "modern" exterior light and pole in the front of the home. This light fixture has been redesigned to meet those standards of historical appropriateness, as well as to provide more light for securing the property. The exterior light follows the guidelines and recommendations of the Riverside Local Historic District, suggested in their street light report dated February 13, 1990. • On the following pages are: Specifications Product Specification Bulletin Light Fixture Illustration Site Plan -- Side Elevation Site Plan -- Top Elevation 0 • SPECIFICATIONS Luminary Physical 34" Tall 20" Across Material -- Cast Aluminum 8 Sided -- Polycarbonate Lens Type V Name: William and Mary 2 7/8" -- Fitter Slip Type Luminary Electrical ANSI Specification -- M98/M101 Current Draw -- 90 Amps • Lamp Data Electrical Lamp -- 70 Watt Metal Halide Lamp Voltage -- 85 Volts Minimum to Start -- 216V (SINE) Pulse Height -- 3300-4000 V Pulse Width -- 1 U SEC at 3000V Pulse Repetition -- 1 per half cycle Pulse Position -- 900 of peak OCV Temperature Limits: Base -- 1900 C Bulb -- 4000 C • a Lamp Data Physical Base -- Medium Bulb Diameter -- 2 1/8 inches Bulb Length -- 5 7/16 inches Light Center Length -- 3 7/16 inches Effective Age Length -- 8.5 mm Bulb Finish -- Coated Lamp Data Performance Initial Lumens -- 5600 Lumens Mean Lumens -- 4000 Lumens Per Watt -- 79 LPW Light Output -- 770 Rated Life -- 10,000 Hours Color Temperature -- 3200K Chromaticity -- (X, Y) _ (.420; 395) CRI -- 70 Warm Up Time -- 1-2 minutes Hot Restart Time -- 4-8 minutes Burning Position -- Base up/Base down ± 150 Pole Height: Buried - 5' (Diameter - 4") Base - 5' (Diameter - 4") Top - 7' (Diameter - 3") Overall above ground -- 12' Construction - CPVC Finish -- Cast Iron Flat Black IDOT Requirements -- ALL IDOT Required Set Back -- 36" W/6" Curb Electrical Circuit Fused -- Ground -- Fault Rated -- 20 AMPS Wire -- OF Switched -- Photocell • • i VENTURE LIGHTING INTERNATIONAL 70 Watt Medium -Base Metal Halide. Lamps LAMP CODE: PRODUCT NO.: DESCRIPTION: PERFORMANCE DATA' Light Output (100 Hr.) Lumens per Watt Light Output_(Mean)2 Rated. Life3 Color Temperature (CCT) C.I.E.-Chromaticity Warm Up Time Hot Restart Time4 Burning Position PHYSICAL DATA Base Bulb Designation Bulb Diameter (DIA.) Max. Overall Length (MOL) Light Center Length (LCL) Effective Arc Length Temp:. Limits: Base Bulb Fixture Requirements Medium ED -17 2 1/8 Inches 5 7/16 Inches 3 Ins Inches 8.5 mm. 190° C 400° C Enclosed Fixture 5000 Lumens 5000 Lumens 71 LPW 71/LPW 80% 77% 5,000 Hours 5,000 Hours 4000 K 3700 K`'' (x,y) = (.385,.390) (x,y) = (.395,.390) 65 70 1-2 Minutes 1-2 Minutes 4-8 Minutes 4-8 Minutes Y An'' Spec:.,.. Ing P0Ise>Requirements5 5500 Lumens 79 LPW 77% 5,000 Hours 3200K (x,y) = (.420,.395) I 70 1-2 Minutes 4-8 Minutes Base Up..±.15° 70 Watts 85 Volts .90 Amps. 216V (Sine) M98 / M101 3300-4000V 1 u sec at 3000V 1 per half cycle 90% of peak OCV NOTES: (1) Performance ratings are given for base up operation of universal burn lamps. The numbers refer to operation at 70 watts. (2) Mean light output refers to lumens at 40% of rated life. (3) Rated life is for all burning positions at 10 hrs. per start. (4) Hot restart time is the time required for the lamp to come to full brightness after a momentary shut down. (5) For starting, these lamps require an external Ignitor which Is normally Included in the ballast as specified in the ANSI spec. l VU PSB LOWATT:3 (July 1989) I SEE REVERSE FOR CAUTION NOTICES AND APPLICATION NOTES T`:��_.....-.�-..i.�sd-�='�.'e-?F"'?.�v='r.^'�?z�^.:�'^"-•:�"'.�..:` 32000 Aurora -Road. •:So70n. Oh10 44139 • 1800-43T-a111-.ta-(216)24"510 44Faio�1-500-4 . ✓ Exterior Light -- Luminary 0 4 - U) N CL w w to y Fli STAFF REPORT 0710 North Cushing Street, The Woolman House: Proposed Local Historic Landmark The property at 710 North Cushing Street, South Bend, Indiana was nominated for Local Historic Landmark designation by HPC President John Oxian. The structure was rated in 1987 as Significant (S/11) on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory; it was rated as significant as an example of American foursquare/vernacular Prairie architecture designed by W. W. Schneider, a notable local architect. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This house is a reconstruction of an earlier house built circa 1896. In 1917 the property contained the earlier, smaller structure, a barn and a "[corn?]crib." The house underwent major reconstruction in 1924; the 1932 Assessor card lists the architect for the reconstruction as W. W. Schneider. The structure is a frame house with brick foundation. It is best classified as having the vernacular form of the American Foursquare. It is two stories with a hipped roof and moderately -wide overhanging eaves. The ground plan is massed, comprising a near square (30' x 30.5'), with four rooms on both the first and second floors. It has a one-story porch on the front facade constructed of brick with stone caps. A massive brick chimney is located on the exterior of the north facade. The house's integrity is excellent; it • has been unaltered since the 1924 renovation. Stylistically the house is associated in a rudimentary way with the Prairie style in its horizontal emphasis (except for the roof), especially the bandcourse between the stories; the square porch supports and several sets of narrow, 4 over 4 and 6 over 1, double -hung windows in groups of three and four. The second story is accentuated by contrasting wood siding (thinner width) from that on the first floor. The property also contains a one-story frame garage built sometime between 1932 and 1949. The 1932 Assessor card shows a rectangular, six -car garage; it seems likely that this structure was a remnant of the 1917 barn -like building. The present garage is 22'x 20' in dimension, has two bays and a pyramidal roof. There are four fixed windows with six lights (two on the rear, one on each side; the original doors to the bays have been replaced.[l] THE ARCHITECT Walter W. Schneider (1868-1957) designed many of South Bend's significant buildings from the late nineteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century (see appendix #l). His important buildings include the Engman Natatorium (1921; 1040 W. Washington), River Park Theatre (1926; 2931 Mishawaka Avenue), the Osborn Building (1906; 1031 W. Washington) and the Knights of Pythias building (1922; 224 West Jefferson). He also designed many South Bend residences; notable among them is the Tudor is Revival style Cutter House (1906; 916 Riverside Drive) and the "Bungaloid" Kerner House (1913; 211 W. Marion). Schneider was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He attended Vanderbilt University and later moved to Chicago to begin working as an architect. He came to South Bend in the 1880s and formed a partnership with Oscar Dirham. Their most significant local commission was the Beiger House in Mishawaka. Schnieder went into business on his own in 1914; many young South Bend architects spent their early years under his tutelage, including Maurice • McErlaine, Ernest Young, and N. Roy Shambleau.[2] HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT The original house here was built circa 1896 for Philip H. and Lydia M. Woolman. It was located on Lot #32 of the St. Joseph County Agricultural Society Addition, platted in 1871 on the site of the old St. Joseph Country fairgrounds. The Woolmans purchased the lot for $725.00 in March, 1896 and probably built the house soon thereafter. Philip Woolman made his living as a masonry contractor. Nothing else is known about the couple.[3] In 1904 the house was purchased by Margaret M. Gish (1855-1934) for $.3800.00. Gish used the house as a rental until 1910 when she sold it to two brothers, Jacob and Louis Levy. Louis Levy and his spouse, Bessie, hired popular local architect Walter Schneider to redesign the residence; his conception borrowed heavily from the Prairie style that had a brief tenure of popularity in the teens and twenties. Like many of his contemporaries, Schneider simplified the style and provided the owners with a handsome, modernized residence. The house remained in the Levy family until 1942.[4] When they purchased the house, Louis and Jacob Levy were co-owners of Levy Brothers, a wholesale grocery business at 223 S. St. Joseph Street. Louis moved into the house with his spouse, Bessie; his brother resided at 722 Van Buren Street. The Levy brothers were Russian in origin and were of the Jewish faith. Louis was born in 1878 and emigrated to the United States in 1896. Bessie Levy was Austrian, born there in 1887. She and Louis were married in Chicago in 1909; they had one son (South Bend attorney Nathan Levy) and two daughters (names unknown). It is not known when Jacob Levy was born or if he emigrated with his brother. The brothers were in the grocery business together for at least fifty years with businesses at the above address and also at 312 E. Wayne ("wholesale fruits"). They also were in business with Charles C. Ward in the 1920s as the Levy -Ward Grocery Company at 401-403 S. St. Joseph ("wholesale groceries") and 326-33- S. Carroll.[5] In 1942 the Levys sold the house to Marian P. and Dr. Francis A. Turfler. Dr. Turfler was an Osteopath; he received his degree in 1932 from Kendallville College of Osteopathy. He was born in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1905 to a family that ultimately included more than thirty osteopathic physicians. He moved to South Bend in 1935. He and Marian (Phillips) were married in 1932; the couple had four daughters. Dr. Turfler was elected president of the Northern Indiana Association of Osteopathic Physicians in 1946 and was the president and secretary of American Osteopathic College of Radiology from 1953 to 1976.[6] The Turflers moved into rural St. Joseph County in the late 1940s and had the house remodeled into two separate apartments. In 1951 the house was sold to Horen Garabadian who moved into one apartment with his mother, Eva, •and rented the other. Horen worked for the Studebaker and Studebaker -Packard companies in the 1950s. Horen Garabadian passed away in Fresno, California in 1980. The house remains in the Garabadian family, currently owned by Hazart Garabadian, Horen's brother.[7] I RECOMMENDATION Based on HPC Local Landmark Criteria [8], it is the staff recommendation that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend the Woolman House at 710 North Cushing to the South Bend Common Council for designation by ordinance as a Local Historic Landmark. The property meets the criteria in at least two areas: 1. "its embodiment of elements of architectural design, details, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic ...;" 2. "its suitability for preservation." The Woolman House meets the first criteria as example of the work of a significant local architect --Walter W. Schneider --that exemplifies the early twentieth-century vernacular Prairie form now called American Foursquare by architectural historians. Its materials and architectural details remain unaltered and the structure as a whole exhibits a level of craftsmanship and design uniquely characteristic of its period. The property is suitable for preservation as a significant contributing structure within an area that contains a notable concentration of unaltered domestic architecture. The attention and care paid to its maintenance and preservation by its owners should be recognized and bolstered by local recognition and protection by ordinance. F. Holycross March, 1993 Notes • 1. Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory: Survey Manual for Architectural and Historical Resources (Indianapolis: Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 1988): G -3; -The Portage Township Assessor Card (1932) shows that this structure was built in 1882 (likely wrong, see below), and that it was "remodeled" in 1924. It also shows W.W. Schnieder as the architect; the Sanborn Insurance Map (1917) shows a two story house with a different "footprint" than the present structure, a one and two story barn -like structure and a "crib." 2. City of South Bend Summary Report (South Bend: 1982): 33; South Bend Sites and Structures Resurvey (computer data -base; 1993). 3. Plat Book 3:1, the Agricultural Society Addition is located on the site where the first county fairgrounds was located on the Niles Road (now Portage) running northwest out of the city; St. Joseph County Deed Record: 100:450; South Bend City Directories (1889-1906): no structure appears on Cushing until 1896 when Woolman is listed at 826. From 1898 to 1904 he is listed at 610 Cushing; in 1906 the address becomes 710. It seems likely that, due to the various address changes occurring during these years as the area developed, these are all the same structure. 4. Deed Records: 129:89; 145:129. South Bend Tribune (Gish obit.)12-21-34: 2:12. Gish was born. in Buchanan, Michigan; married to William D. Gish in 1876; two sons, Walter and John. 5. Tribune (obit; Louis Levy) 12-15-53:14; (obit.; Bessie Levy) 11-10-51:10. City Directories: 1912-1940. 6. City Directories: 1943-1950; Tribune: 6-13-46; (obit.; F. Turfler)5-20-84. •7. Tribune: (obit.; H. Garabadian) 2-5-80:34. City Directories: 1953-1970. 8. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No. 3: Historic Landmarks Procedure (July 14, 1975). 3 Appendix A Mar 3, 1993 W.W. Schneider -designed structures on Survey PAGE I • STREET NAME ----------------------- STREET# RATING STYLE TIME PERIOD HISTORIC NAME Colfax Avenue (W) ------- 226 ------ S/11 ----------------------- Sullivanesque ----------- 1915 ------------------------ Brown Building College Street (N) 209 C/10 20th Century Functional 1910 Jacobon-Peterson Company Cushing Street 710 S/11 American Foursquare 1901 Woolman House Forest Avenue 865 S/11 Queen Anne 1903 Hatch House Hudson Avenue 1021 C/10 Colonial Revival 1921 Campbell House Indiana Avenue (E) 514 S111 Queen Anne 1902 Studebaker House Jefferson Boulevard (E) 1017 S/11 American Foursquare 1903 Dr, Gish House Jefferson Boulevard (E) 1031 S/12 Queen Anne 1899 Witwer House Jefferson Boulevard (W) 224 S/11 Neoclassical 1922 Knights of Pythias LaMonte Terrace 310 S/11 Prairie 1908 Hansel House LaMonte Terrace 318 C/10 Queen Anne 1908 Miller House • LaSalle Avenue (W) 80I C/10 Queen Anne 1921 Mell House Lincolnway West 809 C/10 Commercial 1902 Cohen Dry Goods Marion Street (W) 211 S/12 Bungaloid 1913 Kerner House Michigan Street (S) 507 S/11 Neoclassical 1922 Smith -Alsop Paint Store Mishawaka Avenue 2919 C/9 Neo -Classical 1926 Mishawaka Avenue 2931 S/11 Neoclassical 1926 River Park Theatre North Shore Drive (W) 123 C/9 American Four -Square 1903 Mack House Park Avenue 618 S/11 Prairie 1906 Anderson House Park Avenue 623 S/11 Queen Anne 1900 Ware House Park Avenue 725 S/11 Shingle Style 1903 Murdock House Park Avenue 816 S/12 Queen Anne 1890 Mann House Park Avenue 820 C/10 American Foursquare 1895 Anderson House Park Avenue 828 C/10 Queen Anne 1892 Anderson House • Peashway Avenue 302 S/11 Period Revival 1919 Jahnkee House Pokagon Street (E) 206 C/10 Colonial Revival 1924 Boeckling House Mar 3, 1993 WJ , Schneider -designed structures on Survey PAGE 2 STREET NAME ----------------------- STREET# ------- RATING STYLE ------- TIME PERIOD HISTORIC NAME Portage Avenue 609 S/12 ----------------------- Free Classic ----------- 1905 ------------------------ Keller House •Portage Avenue 620 S/11 Queen Anne 1903 Shidler House Riverside Drive 916 0/13 Tudor Revival 1906 Cutter House Riverside Drive 928 C/10 American Foursquare 1903 Mitchell House Riverside Drive 944 C/9 Dutch Colonial Revival 1903 Drummond House Riverside Drive 947 C/10 Colonial Revival 1907 Didrirkson House Riverside Drive 962 S/12 Period Revival 1913 Clauer House Riverside Drive 1115 C/10 Colonial Revival 1923 Hibberd House Riverside Drive 1201 Ci9 Period Revival 1904 Miller House Taylor Street (N) 111 C/10 American Foursquare 1915 Listenberger House Washington Avenue (W) 1031 S/11 Neoclassical 1906 Osborn Building Washington Avenue (W) 1040 S/12 Neoclassical 1921 Engman Natatorium Washington Street (W) 501 C/10 Neo -Classical 1906 Rush Building Washington Street (W) 502 S/12 Free Classic 1907 The Manse *Washington Street (W) 705 S/11 Queen Anne 1905 Gorsuch House Washington Street (W) 714 C/9 Queen Anne 1884 Birdsell House • • • 0 Zll Elm M Ml ®®, ®FM M® cam • �® Wqua MIA ®� Ell ®RMAR' am—AMo ,Front/Side'Facades (West and South) 0 z a r 710 CUS}i I_AG S i i�EFJ PROPOSED LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK House rear facade (east) t M I Garage rear facade (west) • STAFF REPORT 51387 Portage Road, The Wertz-Bestle Farm: Proposed Local Historic Landmark The property at 51387 Portage Road, South Bend, Indiana (German Township) was nominated for. Local Historic Landmark designation by its owner, Ms. Elizabeth Lauber. Ms. Lauber has signed a Consent form and has approved classification of the property under "B" standards. The structure was rated in 1975 as Outstanding (0/13) on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, but due to alterations to the house, the property should now be rated as Significant (S/1.1). The original Bank Barn (three -bay basement barn), described as deteriorated in 1975, has been restored and is now in excellent condition. The farmhouse and barn are located at the end of a shaded lane on .47 acres of land; the site is surrounded by groves of trees and agricultural fields. Except for the lack of related outbuildings, the site remains much as it did when it was built as a farmstead in the early 1870s. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The House •The structure is a two-story farmhouse constructed of brick, built in 1872. The foundation consists of square -cut field stone. The structure has a moderately pitched gable roof and moderately wide overhanging eaves. The floor plan of the main block of the house is a "T" with a one -and -a -half story e1.1 (a wing, in this case probably the kitchen) extending from the rear. The structure's form is most closely identified with what is now called the Gabled ell --a popular house type of the post -Civil War era.[l] Stylistically the house is most closely related to the Italianate mode; tall and narrow segmental -arched windows (removed) and wide eaves with a wide band of trim underneath are reminiscent of the style. The original porches were likely the parts of the structure where ornate architectural details were present, if at all. The structure remains as an example of vernacular, rural residential house construction --plain and utilitarian. Since 1975 the house has undergone major alteration: all windows and doors have been replaced; original shutters have been removed (noted as being present on 1975 Survey); a large arched, historically inappropriate, tripartite window has been added to the second floor, rear of the house; an historically inappropriate rectangular window has been added to the rear, first floor of the structure; a glass -enclosed porch has been added to the southeast corner of the house where originally an open porch was probably located; a two -bay rear porch has been removed from the rear of the house (1975 Survey); and the porch at the southwest corner of the structure is not original. In addition, a shed has been demolished (1975 Survey) and, except for the barn, no outbuildings remain. OTheBarn The barn is probably contemporaneous with the house. It fits within the 1 category now called "basement barns," in this case exhibiting German cultural influence. It is a two-level, three -bayed structure. The lower level (basement) was intended for stabling horses and cattle. The upper level, reached by a ramp, was used for hay, grain and implement storage, the middle bay a threshing floor. The foundation consists of field stone; • some sections have been repaired with concrete. In St. Joseph County the principal crops of the nineteenth century were corn, oats, wheat and hay; livestock and dairying were important additional sources of farm income. Barns such as this were ideal for these mixed agricultural pursuits. Like the house, the barn retains architectural details reminiscent of the Italianate style: ventilation openings on the east and north sides are tall and narrow and have rectangular window crowns; the roof has moderately -wide overhanging eaves. Four small basement windows on the east and west sides have pedimented crowns, an additionally attractive detail. German cultural influence in this type of barn construction is exhibited by the cantilevered overhang at the rear of the structure. This overhang is copied from the German farmers of Pennsylvania who built enormous "Swisser" or "Schweitzer" barns with a cantilevered "forebay" over the lower level of the barnyard side (rear) to serve as additional protection for stock. These structures were built into a bank if one was available --or ramps were built to the second level --hence the name "bank" barn. In the Midwest smaller versions of these were built over a basement in the smaller, three -bay English form. More often than not these barns had a ramp to the second floor. These smaller versions became popularly know as bank barns, although they should more accurately be called basement barns.[2] HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT •This farmhouse and barn were constructed in 1872 for John and Belinda (Kollar) Wertz.[3] John Wertz was born in Ohio in 1831, the son of George and Catherine (Raff) Wertz. He moved to St. Joseph County in 1853, first settling in Centre Township. He relocated to German Township in 1872 and built this farmhouse and related structures soon thereafter. The property is shown in the Illustrated Historical Atlas (1875) as consisting of one hundred and twenty acres straddling what was then called the Niles Road (the main road leading north and west to Niles, Michigan) and the northeast corner of Auten Road. The Wertzs were farmers. John and Belinda were married in 1855. Belinda was also a native of Ohio. The couple had six children, five boys and a girl. The History of St. Joseph County (1880) relates that John Wertz' "educational advantages were limited" (he signed his deed and mortgage with an "x") but that he "was an industrious man, upright and honest."[4] In 1878 the Wertz' sold the portion of the property on the west side of the Niles Road, consisting of eighty seven acres, to Godfrey and Dora Bestle (spelled Bestley in early records). Godfrey Bestle was born in Germany in 1826; he came to the United States in 1852. He first lived in Michigan and then came to St. Joseph County in 1864. Godfrey was married to Dora Byerer in 1855. Dora was also German, born there in 1835. The couple had nine children. Godfrey Bestle was described as being "educated" in the 1880 History, where he was noted as able to read both German and English. The couple owned one hundred and forty acres of property in German Township and one hundred and fifteen acres in Michigan. They also were farmers.[5] • After Godfrey Bestle died, the property was sold by his heirs in 1908 to Charles A. Bestle, the son of Godfrey and Dora for $8000.00. It remained in his possession at least into the late 1.920s.[6] 9 RECOMMENDATION Based on HPC Local Landmark Criteria [7], it is the staff recommendation that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend the Wertz-Bestle farm •at 51387 Portage Road to the County Council of St. Joseph County for designation by ordinance as a Local Historic Landmark. The property meets the criteria in at least four areas: 1. "Its ... value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of ... St. Joseph County ...;" 2. "its embodiment of elements of architectural design, details, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic ...;" 3. "its educational value," and; 4. "its suitability for preservation." This farmstead fulfills criteria #1 as an significant example of the county's agricultural heritage --the barn especially is an unaltered artifact of nineteenth-century Midwestern material culture representing a way of life no longer extant. Historic barns are no longer put to their original uses and are deteriorating, burning down or being demolished in favor of pole barns or other buildings suitable to modern agriculture. Every effort should be made to protect these structures that played an primary role in the everyday life of American farmers, and that became a widely -recognized symbol on the landscape of rural America. The buildings fulfill criteria #2 as examples of the craftsmanship of the time. Both the materials and types of structural systems employed in their isconstruction --hewn wood beams connected with pegged joints (barn), load-bearing brick walls and rough -cut stone foundation (house) --and the forms of the structures --the Gabled ell house and German -influenced basement barn --are representative examples of historic architecture that are disappearing or being altered beyond recognition. The buildings' educational value (criteria #3) lies in their embodiment of the above; these forms and styles represent the culture and lifeways of past_ residents of the county. They are artifacts with which to study the past; their retention and preservation contribute to a fuller understanding of Midwestern American history and culture. That this farmstead is suitable for preservation (criteria #4) is evidenced by the care and attention that have already been paid to maintaining the structures. It is in the interest of the community as a whole to contribute to the present owner's concern for this historic farmstead and ensure that their hard work is not squandered in the future. F. Holycross March, 1993 014119961 1. . Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory: Survey Manual for • Architectural and Historical Resources (Indianapolis: Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 1988): G-5. This form has also 3 been called the "Homestead House," see: "The Homestead House," Old House Journal Sept./Oct. 1987: 29-34. 2. Susanne S. Ridlen, "Bank Barns in Cass County, Indiana," Pioneer America 4:2 (July 1972) 25-43; Allen G. Noble and Gayle A. Seymour, • "Distribution of Barn Types in Northeastern United States," Geographical Review (?): 155-170. 3. St. Joseph County Mortgage Record: 1.8:551. Wertz mortgaged the property for $7000.00 on April 9, 1872; it is unknown when he purchased the property; it is likely this transaction was to build the house as it appears on the Illustrated Historic Atlas of St. Joseph County Indiana (Chicago: Higgins and Belden, 1875): 54. 4. . History of St. Joseph County Indiana (Chicago: Chapman and Co., 1880): 694. 5. History of St. Joseph County 689; St. Joseph County Deed Record: 59:339. The remaining thirty three acres on the east side of the Niles Road was sold to David H. Wagner in 1875: Deed Index: 11:508. 6. Deed Record: 138:339. Charles Bestle is shown to be living on the property in both the 1909 and 1929 County Atlases. 7. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No. 3: Historic Landmarks Procedure (July 14, 1975). • • 4 • • • LINE _ ON I WIN 03020L alb 1 1 IE T o .e I I 1 I I I I I t i I � 0 13iB 241g__ _ ao I � I I INDIANA a T�I I alrc a W I PROPOSED LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK: 51387 Portgage Road 3 ooze JAI=2 mJ�_,R 1 29 ze 11 I i t �i 2 3r 3 _ II Hvnu e 33 L �= �% � I]5 03022 0 ILIA TREASURERS REPORT: • JANUARY - 1993 As can be seen below, during the month of January 1993 HPC staff incurred no unusual expenses. This months expenditures total $2004.66. The unencumbered account balance was $37,641.28. In January the HPC quiatesed (deposited) $1,457.80 into the St. Joseph County general fund. This money consisted of $1448.80 from the Community Development Block Grant claim for December 1992; and $9.00 for Certificate of Appropriateness fees. Amount Vendor 01/93 1/6/93 CLAIM 708.33 Amy Kotzbauer 01/93 1/6/93 CLAIM 98.00 Sushmita Hodges 01%93 1/19/93 CLAIM 490.00 Sushmita Hodges 01/93 1/19/93 CLAIM 708.33 Amy Kotzbauer • • • TREASURER'S REPORT: FEBRUARY - 1993 As can be seen below, during the month of February 1993 HPC staff incurred no unusual expenses. This month's expenditures total $2521.57. The unencumbered account balance was $35,119.71. In February the HPC quiatesed (deposited) $3,693.00 into the St. Joseph County general fund. This money consisted of $3687.00 from the 2nd Quarter DHPA grant claim (October to December 1992); and $6.00 for Certificate of Appropriateness fees. 02/93 2/2/93 CLAIM 02/93 2/2/93 CLAIM 02/93 2/17/93 CLAIM 02/93 2/17/93 CLAIM • 02/93 2/18/93 CLAIM 02/93 2/18/93 CLAIM • Amount Vendor 708.33 Amy Kotzbauer 490.00 Sushmita Hodges 490.00 Sushmita Hodges 708.33 Amy Kotzbauer 80.91 St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners 44.00 St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners • Correspondence Received -- February 10,1993 to March 9, 1993 -- Michiana Area Construction Industry Advancement Fund: "Plans on File," February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 1993. -- Design Competition: "A Call for Sustainable Community Solutions;" Am.Inst.Arch.; entries by April 15, 1993. -- Indian Humanities Council: call for nominations for Indian Humanities Achievement Awards; Deadline April 23, 1993. -- Planners Bookstore: catalog. -- Antique Monthly: order form. -- Hometown Indiana Coalition: request for lobbying support for Hometown Bill (state legislature). -- Servaas Memorial Award: call for nominations; Hist. Landmarks Found. of Indiana. -- National Trust: National Preservation Honor Awards: call for nominations. -- National Trust: request for preservation projects for CDBG grant funding (must be "ready to go"). -- Preservation Week brochure (National Trust). • • Correspondence Received -- February 10,1993 to March 9, 1993 -- Michian Area Construction Industry Advancement Fund: "Plans on File," February 15, 2, March 1, 8, 1993. -- Design Compe *ton: "A Call for Sustainable Community Solutions;" Am.Inst.Arch.,entr' s by April 15, 1993. -- Indian Humanities ncil: call for nominations for Indian Humanities Achievment Awards; Deadli April 23, 1993. -- Planners Bookstore: catalo -- Antique Monthly: order form -- Hometwon Indian Coaliton: request or lobbying support for Hometown Bill. -- Servaas memorial Awrd: call for nominat ns; Hist. lamdmarks found. of Indiana -- National Trust: national prservation Honor A ads: call for nominations. -- National trust: requst for completed preservati rojects for CDBG grant funding. -- Preservation Week brochure (National Trust). • • INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PATRICK R. RALSTON, DIRECTOR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology 402 W. Washington St„ Rm. 274 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 317,232-1646 February 11, 1993 Historic Preservation Commission of S. Bend/St. Joseph County County City Building, Rm. 1123 South Bend, IN 46601 Re: The Dille -Probst House located at 540 East Colfax Street, in South Bend, St. Joseph County Indiana. Dear Commission Members: We have received an application for the above named property to be listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures. The purpose of this letter is to provide information on the State Register program and to afford you an opportunity to concur in or object to the application in accordance with IC 14-3-3.4. Any person who wishes to object to State Register listing must submit a written statement indicating his or her interest in the property and that they object to the listing. The statement must be sent to the Director, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 402 West Washington Street, Room 274, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 and must be received within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter. I.f no negative comments are received within the allotted time, the property will be listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures in accordance with the state law. If negative comments are received, a hearing and determination on the nomination to the State Register will be held by a designated member of the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board. The Review Board's decision is subject to administrative review by the Natural Resources Commission in accordance with IC 4-21.5. Review of State Funded and Assisted Construction IC 14-3-3.4-9P seeks to encourage the preservation of Indiana's historic resources. All state funded or assisted construction which will adversely affect historic sites or structures owned by the State of Indiana or historic sites or structures listed in the • State Register must be approved by the State Review Board. This provision does not limit what a private owner or a local "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER" "o government may do with non -state owned property, as long as state or federal funds are not involved. More information about this property or the State Register program may be made available by calling 317/232-1646, or by writing to the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 402 West Washington Street, Room 274, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Very truly yours, �, James A. Glass Ph.D. Director is Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology JAG:FDH/kjr cc: Senator Vi Simpson Stinesville Renaissance CJ 525 Edgewater Dr. South Bend,IN. 46601 Historic Preservation Commission County City Building South Bend, IN. 46601 To the Commissioners: I would like this letter read into the minutes of the March 15 meeting. I would also like a copy of these minutes sent to me after the meeting, please. Last night as I sat huddled in 2 sweaters and 2 pairs of socks, and heavy slacks, I considered the situation you have inflicted upon me regarding the window replacement in my home. It seems to me that the commissioners are so wrapped up in espousing their own interests and egos that they have completely forgotten the fact that people have to Five in these homes. The comfort and practicality has been totally forsaken in order to preserve the wishes and beliefs of the commissioners and the home owners desires are not important. As far as I and other residents are concerned, this commission is discriminating and unreasonable. Mr. Holycross assured me when I initially contacted him early in January that there would be no problem and that this was all a formality. Gina DeLaruelle, who served on your commission for nine years also told me that there should be no problem as several other houses in the neighborhood have had their windows replaced. Mr. Holycross also assured the attendees at a neighborhood meeting that the commission was not there to cause problems for people but that seems to be precisely the case. Why does the commission do nothing about homes that are in clear violation not only of the standards but also of the city codes but then refuse to consider requests that improve properties. What you have effectively done is to force me to allow the windows to rot and cause the property to deteriorate before I will be allowed to fix it in a satisfactory manner. Remember- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Mr. Holycross suggested I have my existing windows rehabilitated and add yet a third set of windows (indoor storms). I find this idea ludicrous as one of the reasons for replacing them was to get rid of one set of windows not add another set giving me three sets of windows to deal with each season. Not only would I feel imprisoned I fail to see how simply repairing the frames would cause less ' air transmission in the center of the windows. Perhaps the commissioners should read up on the heat and energy advantages of the new glass on the market. •The mayor says he wants to preserve the "inner city neighborhoods." The conservationists want us to save energy. You have prevented both of these and are therefore working in direct conflict with local, state, & federal governments as well as environmentalists around the world. I also would like to add that I grew up two miles west of Valley Forge, Pa. and I distinctly remember that there was less fuss about remodelling George Washington's Headquarters in the park, built in the 18th Century, than there is about replacing windows in this house which has as we all know, ABSOLUTELY NO HISTORIC VALUE WHATSOEVER. I also know a family whose home was deed to them by William Penn who had less trouble! I have long been a proponent of HPC but have completely changed my opinion on this matter. I will certainly never apply again for a certificate of appropriateness again nor will I encourage anyone else to do so. Since the commission has no enforcement ability I will do what most other people in the area do- my own thing. Your commission is a farce and a waste of time. I have wasted two months on this now and for this I would at least like my $3.00 back. I remain angry and fed -up, Ms. Nancy TenBroeck • historic reservation commissi p on • of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219) 284-9798 February 19, 1993 Ms. Nancy TenBroeck 525 Edgewater Drive South Bend, IN 46601 Dear Ms. TenBroeck: I was quite surprised to receive your letter this morning and would like the opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings if possible. I understood from our meeting of February 17, 1993 at your home with myself and HPC Commissioners Brubaker and Van Dalsen, that you agreed to pursue the possibility of having your windows repaired. You told us that you would contractors to see if you could find one who would provide quotes ,contact for the job. You agreed that you would contact me if you could not find a contractor willing to do the job and we would then pursue the matter of replacement of the windows further. Did we misunderstand you? At that time you did not characterize my suggestion of rehabilitating the windows and possibly considering inside storms windows as "ludicrous," as you do in the aforementioned letter. I assure you that my suggestion --ie: to have the windows repaired --is a relatively simple job and would likely cost approximately half that of replacement. The windows are not deteriorated at all and, except perhaps for the kitchen windows that have been painted repeatedly and would require stripping, the rehabilitation of the remaining windows would consist of minor repair and the replacement of some hardware. I also suggested that you could invest in weatherstripping -- another relatively inexpensive energy-saving measure --and that inside storms were only a possibility if the present outside storms proved to be inadequate and needed to be removed (leaving one set of storms). I firmly believe that these measures --minor repair (including recaulking), weatherstripping and general maintenance --would provide you with outstanding insulation for both winter and summer (air-conditioning). When we spoke on the telephone in January, I responded to your description of the proposed project as "probably no problem" if, as District Guidelines require, your windows were "deteriorated beyond repair" and if your proposal was to replace them in-kind, ie: with windows of the same design and materials. historic reservation commissi commission 0 of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219) 284-9798 As for the other structures in the neighborhood your refer to that have had COAs for window replacement, HPC records showthat these windows were determined to be "deteriorated beyond repair" as required. In addition, one of these projects consisted of replacing aluminum windows --not historic windows original to the structure --with vinyl -covered windows. The commission would like to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion; please contact me immediately so that we can come to an understanding of what you intend to do --pursue repair or continue to apply for replacement of the windows. I must again remind you that applying for a certificate of appropriateness is a legal responsibility not an option. I will give each member of the HPC a copy of your letter and request that you attend the March meeting. Property owners who wish to provide the commission with additional information should present that information themselves. Sincerely, Fred M. Holycross cc: John Oxian President, HPC Cynthia Brubaker HPC Jewel Van Dalsen HPC Aladean DeRose Deputy City Attorney • • Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County Visitor Roll-- March 15, 1993 Please print your name, address and organization, if applicable, so your presence at tonight's meeting can be officially recorded. Thank you. 1�21 2 22 3 23 4 e U t �• n A 24 5 Any\ ea 25 6 26 �7 27 8 28 9 29 10 30 11 31 12 32 13 33 14 34 15 35 16 36 17 37 18 38 19 39 020 40